In the lead up to Easter we will be putting up a new lent devotion each week day. These devotions will also be available in the discussions section of our Facebook page and will be played on New Zealand’s Rhema. John Wesley once said: “The gospel of Christ knows of no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness.” Often [...]
Fear brings out the worst in us. A ladybug lands on my hand. “How cute” I think to myself and gently blow it on its way. But if a harmless spider crawls on my arm I freak. I not only flick it off but stomp on it as well. My irrational panic causes a violent, hate- filled reaction. I’m riding [...]
The following was co-written by Paul Thompson (National Coordinator for Micah Challenge Aotearoa) and me. It can be found on the Micah Challenge Aotearoa (NZ) website. “Poverty Hurts Your Soul” is the title of a new paper published by the Conference of European Churches. They say “In Christian understanding, poverty and social exclusion are understood as a failure to uphold [...]
As Haitians suffer the devastation of an earthquake that his ripped apart the lives of many and left an already poor nation crippled even further, it was with sadness that I read the Sunday Star Times article regarding the empires of three prominent Auckland churches, revealing their financial situations and their growing wealth. The suffering of the Haitians and the [...]
The second half of our interview with writer, speaker and kiwi prophet Mick Duncan.
Frank interviews singer/artist/speaker/thinker and all round nice guy Grant Norsworthy about attitudes to giving and Child Sponsorship.
Within Christianity there is a sacrament that acts as an amazing unifier. The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (Eucharist, Communion etc) works to unite us with God and with the wider body of Christ – the Church – both past, present and future. The Westminster Confession of Faith says this about the Lord’s Supper:
Ash Wednesday – today – is the first day of Lent, the day we remember our mortality. The church tradition on Ash Wednesday was to mark the foreheads of the faithful with a cross made with a mixture of ash and oil. As the priest imposed this cross he would intone “Remember, O man, that you are dust, and unto dust [...]
For some time I have been considering what it really looks like to stand with the poor and oppressed as a Christian. I believe this is something central to what it means to live the Christian life and pursue the things God cares about as demonstrated through the life of Jesus. Through my journey of shaping my life in [...]
Have you read the article that’s circulating at the moment in which self proclaimed atheist, Matthew Parris argues cogently that Africa needs God? “Now a confirmed atheist, I’ve become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa: sharply distinct from the work of secular NGOs, government projects and international aid efforts. These alone will not do. Education [...]
Twenty-somethings Embark on Journey of Self-Discovery and Service Hundreds of twenty-somethings, compelled by issues of social justice and simple living, are leaving the comfort of their homes and possessions for a year to travel the world and serve others. They’re calling it a modern-day pilgrimage – an opportunity to find themselves and live amongst the poor.
They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift sword against nation; and there shall be no more training for war. Isaiah 2:4 Yesterday I spent time considering whether or not it would be appropriate to write about the ANZAC Ploughshares activism at the Waihopai spy base in New Zealand, for The Humanitarian [...]
